There was a comment about "tensing" up the muscles and making it worse. I HAVE DEFINITELY found that if i try relaxation techniques (slow deep breaths while remaining relaxed through those really intense, lengthy pains) it is much easier on me.

As for giving up the sugar...it really has not been that difficult (well, maybe for the people around me .......but like with anything else, I really have to make this a lifetime change, not just one of those temporary things where once the pain is better for a long period of time I think I can go back to the way things were. That is what I have done all my life, and I do recognize that this is not the same and I can never go back to that.

Has anyone heard ANYTHING about the effects of artificial sweeteners on PN....am really curious about that.